My name is Roy McKeen and I am a retired U.S. Army Veteran who served in Iraq for a year. At the time of my deployment, my daughter was 5 years old and my son was 2. I returned from Iraq due to injury and moved my family from Colorado to Oklahoma. After moving back to Oklahoma, I became very ill and was given a service dog from Hounds Helping Heroes Heal as my doctor continued to keep an eye on my health. In 2014, I moved my family to Texas to volunteer my time with Hounds Helping Heroes Heal and shortly after I was taken to the cardiac center for chest pain. While receiving a heart ultrasound, the ultrasound tech accidentally crossed over my gallbladder and I found out that I had a bad gallbladder. I was immediately rushed into surgery and my doctor informed my wife and I that I had pancreatitis. I was in the hospital every other week from that point on. After fighting pancreatitis for a year, my doctor sent me to Baylor University Transplant Team. The doctor at Baylor decided that my pancreas should be removed. In 2015 I moved my family from Texas to Oklahoma so that my wife could find help with caring for me. I then had my pancreas removed and was in the hospital for a month. I suffered from pneumonia and severe weight loss during this time during which my wife had to take me to the ER for malnutrition. In addition, I became a diabetic and was not able to keep much food down. I still have a lot of trouble digesting my food properly and, therefore, it is extremely difficult for me to control my diabetes.

My daughter, Tessa, is now 16 years old and my son, Zachary, is now 13 years old. After already missing so much precious time with them I do not want to waste any more time. I long to see my children attend college and get married and, one day, have families of their own.

Although I have medical insurance, there are many transplant related costs that are not covered. For example, my insurance will not cover most of my medications or help with the cost of my caregiver. I also have many hotel expenses that need to be paid from going back and forth to different appointments. Donations to Help Hope Live will help ease the financial burden of my transplant so that I can focus on a healthy recovery and long life ahead with my wife and children. Any donations are greatly appreciated and will make a huge difference in my life. I sincerely thank you for all of your help.

Thank you,
Roy McKeen & family